Canucks: 3 stars of the week (January 15th-21st)
Talk about a tough week at the office for the Vancouver Canucks.
After two disappointing performances against the Calgary Flames, the Canucks returned to Vancouver on Wednesday for a three-game series against the Montreal Canadiens. The Canucks, who hadn’t played in Rogers Arena since March 10th, 2020, were not playing with any confidence as of late, and they desperately needed a win to stay afloat in the all-Canadian division.
Fortunately, they were able to claim a victory in the first match, narrowly beating the Canadiens by a score of 6-5 in a thrilling shootout win.
Unfortunately, that momentum did not last long.
Less than 24 hours later, the Canucks put up one of their worst performances in recent memory, surrendering seven goals and nine powerplay attempts, all while doing their best 60-minute impression of an orange traffic cone.
Games played this past week:
Saturday, January 16th – Vancouver Canucks (0) @ Calgary Flames (3)
Monday, January 18th – Vancouver Canucks (2) @ Calgary Flames (5)
Wednesday, January 20th – Montreal Canadiens (5) @ Vancouver Canucks (6)
Thursday, January 21st – Montreal Canadiens (7) @ Vancouver Canucks (3)
Canucks record: (2-4-0) 6th in Scotiabank North division
The Canucks will have to be much, much better if they want to turn their game around. Despite the panic throughout the city, there were some bright spots on the roster that fans can be happy with.
Let’s take a look at The Canuck Way’s three stars of the week:
1. Bo Horvat
Oh captain, my captain!
Since being drafted in 2013, Bo Horvat has continuously improved his gameplay, work ethic and compete level, year after year. He has been one of the more consistent five-on-five and powerplay forwards this season, all while logging heavy match-up minutes against the opponent’s top lines.
More importantly, Horvat has continued to lead by example, both on and off the ice. And like a true leader, he came up big when his team needed him most.
Horvat registered four goals and one assist over the past two games, with three of those markers coming on the powerplay. He continues to carry most of the weight on the second line with Tanner Pearson and Nils Hoglander, and he is truly embodying what it means to be a Canuck captain.
Horvat currently leads the team in scoring with seven points and is also tied for most goals scored in the entire league. Statistics aside, he continues to solidify himself as one of the better two-way threats in the game, and players and coaches from around the league should take note of no. 53 if they haven’t already done so.
The Canucks are 10-1-0 all-time when Horvat registers two or more goals during a game, and the team is hoping that their leader will help them rediscover their winning ways.
2. J.T. Miller
It’s been a wild start to the season for J.T. Miller.
After being placed on the league’s COVID-19 protocol list, many thought that we wouldn’t be seeing Miller until closer to the end of January. Fortunately, his quarantine period was reduced, and he was able to rejoin the team prior to Monday night’s tilt in Calgary.
Like any player, Miller looked a little rusty during his first game of the year. He logged just under 19 minutes of ice time and did not register a shot on goal. However, his impact on the team went well beyond the scoresheet that night.
More from The Canuck Way
- Which team won the Bo Horvat trade?
- What to expect from newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty
- Back to the future: How the skate uniforms became a regular Canucks’ feature night
- Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
- 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg
Miller resumed his position on the first powerplay unit and, more importantly, he was reunited with Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser on the top line, setting the stage for the highly-anticipated return of the Lotto Line.
And they have not disappointed so far.
During the last two games, the top line registered two goals, six assists and 11 shots on goal. Miller was responsible for five of those assists and has helped rejuvenate the gameplay of his young linemates.
His most important contribution, of course, has come on the powerplay.
It was no surprise that the Canucks were struggling on the man advantage at the beginning of the season, going scoreless in their first four games. The addition of Miller was a much-needed spark, and his teammates benefited from his ability to cycle the puck and to deliver crisp, tape-to-tape passes. They were able to maintain good pressure in the offensive zone as a result and finally capitalized on their scoring chances, potting four powerplay goals on eleven attempts against the Canadiens so far.
It’s clear that the Canucks have a much higher chance of succeeding when Miller is in the line-up. He will continue to be a veteran role model for Pettersson and Boeser, and if he keeps up his current style of play, he has a good chance of leading the Canucks in scoring for a second straight season.
Fans and coaches would love to see that.